West Fork Fish Creek Headwaters, Sec. 6, T13n, R26w To Clearwater Crossing Trailhead, Sec. 6, T13n, R25w river run
West Fork Fish Creek Headwaters, Sec. 6, T13n, R26w To Clearwater Crossing Trailhead, Sec. 6, T13n, R25w
The river rapids in this run include Big Timber Rapid, Pinball Rapid, S-Turn Rapid, and Hoot Owl Rapid. These rapids are known for their technicality and require experienced boaters. The run also has several sections that require portaging due to dangerous obstacles such as log jams and waterfalls.
The regulations for this area include the mandatory use of personal flotation devices (PFDs) and prohibiting camping within 200 feet of the riverbank. Additionally, all boaters must have a valid Montana fishing license and follow catch and release regulations for all fish species.
Plan your run down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram; rain ahead of a run typically lifts flows 12-48 hours later depending on the basin.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.
Regional streamflow levels
USGS streamgauges around West Fork Fish Creek Headwaters, Sec. 6, T13n, R26w To Clearwater Crossing Trailhead, Sec. 6, T13n, R25w -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| St. Joe River At Red Ives Ranger Station Id | 713 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork At St. Regis Mt | 12,500 cfs | → |
| St. Regis River Near St. Regis | 597 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork Below Missoula Mt | 8,550 cfs | → |
| Flathead River At Perma Mt | 25,400 cfs | → |
| Bitterroot River Near Missoula Mt | 3,960 cfs | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest boat launches, other paddle runs, and campgrounds so a day on the water can grow into a full weekend.
Other river runs
- Cedar Log Creek Headwaters, Sec. 14, T12n, R26w To Mainstem, Sec. 19, T13n, R25w
- Middle Fork Indian Creek Headwaters, Sec. 14, T12n, R26w To Mainstem, Sec. 25, T12n, R26w
- Irish Creek Headwaters, Sec. 20, T12n, R25w To Mainstem, Sec. 22, T12n, R25w
- Montana Creek, Sec. 18, T11n, R24w To Fish Creek, Sec. 8, T12n, R24w
- Mainstem Headwaters, Sec. 21, T11n, R25w To Montana Creek, Sec. 18, T12n, R24w
Campgrounds
- Clearwater Crossing Campground
- Forks Fas
- Big Pine Fas
- Big Pine Fishing Access
- Quartz Flat
- Quartz Flat Campground
Whitewater safety
- Check the flow before you run
- Use the linked-gauge card and Regional Flow panel above. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV+ at high water.
- Know your skill ceiling
- Pick runs comfortably below your ceiling. Cold-water and big-water runs raise the consequences of any mistake.
- Wear the right gear
- Helmet, PFD, drysuit / wetsuit when water is below 60°F. Throw bag, knife, and whistle on your person, not in the boat.
- Scout, set safety, and run with a team
- Scout new rapids on foot, set safety with throw bags above the consequence pool, and run with at least one other competent paddler.
- Respect the river
- Strainers, undercuts, low-head dams, and wood can kill at any class rating. When in doubt, portage.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save West Fork Fish Creek Headwaters, Sec. 6, T13n, R26w To Clearwater Crossing Trailhead, Sec. 6, T13n, R25w as a favorite, set a discharge threshold (e.g. "alert me when flow hits 600 cfs"), and the iOS app pushes the moment the linked gauge crosses.
About West Fork Fish Creek Headwaters, Sec. 6, T13n, R26w To Clearwater Crossing Trailhead, Sec. 6, T13n, R25w
What's the optimal flow for West Fork Fish Creek Headwaters, Sec. 6, T13n, R26w To Clearwater Crossing Trailhead, Sec. 6, T13n, R25w?
The optimal flow depends on the section and the craft. Check the Run Details panel for the linked gauge and current status.
How fresh is the cfs reading on this page?
The linked USGS streamgauge reports continuously (every 15 minutes); Snoflo refreshes throughout the day. Hover the streamflow sparkline to read individual datapoints.
What's the whitewater class?
See the Run Details panel for the class rating Snoflo tracks for this run. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV in high water.
Where do I put in / take out?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions to the put-in. For shuttle planning, check the Nearby Boat Launches panel and the river run operator's site.
Can I get alerts when flows hit the optimal range?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this run, set a discharge threshold, and you'll get a push the moment the gauge crosses.
Other runs near here
Snoflo-tracked paddle runs within driving distance of West Fork Fish Creek Headwaters, Sec. 6, T13n, R26w To Clearwater Crossing Trailhead, Sec. 6, T13n, R25w.